Abstract: A ratchet pulley includes a housing, a hub, an annular pulley and a selection device. The housing has two openings for a rope to go into and go out of the housing. The hub is received in the housing and reciprocally movable between an upper position and a lower position. The annular pulley is received in the housing and rotatable on the circumference of the hub. The rope is wound over the annular pulley. The selection device is disposed in the internal space of the hub and has a rotatable rod exposed to outer side for selecting whether the rotational direction of the annular pulley is limited or not limited or is limited when the rope is pulled and the annular pulley is loaded.

Abstract: A carabineer assembly is provided. The carabineer assembly includes a wheel having a central bore. The carabineer assembly includes a carabineer having a frame, wherein a portion of the frame forms a wheel axle that extends through the central bore. In some cases, the wheel comprises a first wheel half and a second wheel half, wherein the first wheel half and the second wheel half are configured to mate together to form a wheel having a central bore.

Abstract: A portable game hoist (10) designed for raising and lowering game feeders and fallen game animals in the field. The invention consist of a compact and collapsible triangular support frame which contains a plurality of pulleys in a block and tackle arrangement. The block and tackle can be actuated by a hoist rope (92) to raise and lower game feeders/game animals providing a 6:1 lift to pull ratio. One pulley in the block and tackle arrangement is limited to rotation in a single direction and is positioned to automatically lock as objects are being hoisted. Locking pulley (50) can be unlocked by activating the locking pulley release (49) via the locking pulley release line (51) to allow pulley rotation in either direction. Therefore, unlocking the locking pulley (50) allows all six pulleys to rotate in either direction permitting the lowering of hoisted objects. The triangular support frame includes means for attachment to a tree or pole including a method for hanging temporarily to aid with final attachment.

Abstract: A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.

Abstract: A theater rigging assembly having a beam, which is attached to structural support members of a theater or other performing arts venue. The assembly further includes a winch assembly and head block that can be positioned at any point along the beam and selectively fixed in position. The winch portion includes cables for raising and lowering battens or other loads. The head block includes head sheaves, which redirect the cables to loft sheaves that are selectively attached to the beam. The head sheaves are diagonally displaced to separate the cables. The winch portion includes a motor, a gear box, a drum and a brake. The brake includes a ratchet and two brake disks. It uses at least one friction surface that contacts at least one of the brake disks to cause a pawl to engage or disengage from the ratchet.

Abstract: An apparatus which enables the user to transition the location of a load contained within vessels or cavities which are accessed by means of a manhole, manway, or other similar openings which provides for limiting peripheral interference, the establishment of a high center point in both horizontal and vertical applications, and limiting the weight and bulk of such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ratchet block with a block body 10 having a pair of side cheeks 11,12 and a sheave assembly 15 therebetween, which comprises a hub 16 supporting an annular sheave 17 for rotation about a principal axis. The ratchet block also includes a ratchet mechanism comprising ratchet teeth 19 on the sheave and a pawl 20 mounted on the hub 16 or a side cheek 11,12 for movement between an engaged setting, where the ratchet mechanism is active, and a free setting where the ratchet mechanism allows free rotation of the sheave. An actuator 25 is also mounted on the hub 16 or said side cheek 11,12 and linked to the pawl 20 to effect movement thereof between its engaged and free settings. Means are provided for pivoting the hub between loaded and unloaded limiting positions about an axis parallel to but spaced from the hub's principal axis. Spring means 33 are provided for biasing the hub 16 to said unloaded limiting position.

Abstract: The invention comprises an anchor, rope and pulley system to load and unload cargo into and out of passenger vehicles. The anchor system comprises two load bearing straps and a means to attach the straps together. The straps are looped around the vehicle's side handle grips. The looped straps attach to each other near the center of the cargo area. The rope and pulley system comprises a rope, a large pulley, a small pulley, a means to attach the rope and pulley system to the anchor system, a means to attach the cargo to the rope and pulley system, and a means to clamp the rope to create a handle. Cargo can be lifted into a vehicle by pulling the handle with one hand and guiding the cargo with the other hand. A durable guard material over the cargo area's point of entry protects the vehicle and cargo from damage.

Abstract: A theater rigging assembly having a beam, which is attached to structural support members of a theater or other performing arts venue. The assembly further includes a winch assembly and head block that can be positioned at any point along the beam and selectively fixed in position. The winch portion includes cables for raising and lowering battens or other loads. The head block includes head sheaves, which redirect the cables to loft sheaves that are selectively attached to the beam. The head sheaves are diagonally displaced to separate the cables. The winch portion includes a motor, a gear box, a drum and a brake. The brake includes a ratchet and two brake disks. It uses at least one friction surface that contacts at least one of the brake disks to cause a pawl to engage or disengage from the ratchet.

Abstract: A hoist assembly for raising and lowering a load attached to a cable having a drum with a groove spirally disposed about its outer surface mounted within a frame. The groove having a predetermined pitch and configured to receive the cable wound about the drum. The drum has a cable take-off point where the cable ceases contacting the drum and is tangent to the drum. A head block is mounted to the frame and configured to receive the cable as it wound and unwound on the drum while maintaining tangential alignment with said take-off point.

Abstract: A tool (7) for sampling or extracting the contents of a pit (4) is suspended from a cable (8) passing through a narrow opening (3) in a slab (2) covering the pit. A crosspiece (13) hooked to guide cables (11) which converge on it makes it possible to displace the lifting cable (8) under the slab (2) according to different movements imposed by winches (10). Thus it is possible to move the tool (7) to the desired point with great precision and without having to descend into the pit (4).

Abstract: A device for maintaining tension in a cable used to propel a carrier for one or more participants on an amusement ride. The device can be attached at the end of a cable where the propulsive force for the carrier is supplied at an intermediate point along the cable. It can also be connected to an intermediate point of the cable when the propulsive force for the carrier is supplied at an end of the cable. In the first situation a spring, a pressurizable cylinder having a rod attached to a piston, or a pressurizable cylinder with a piston may be connected to the cable and a heavy object; or a weight may be suspended from the cable. In the latter situation a slide is mounted on the cable attached to a line and weight, a spring is attached to a rigid structure, a pressurizable cylinder transversely pushes the cable, or a pressurizable cylinder transversely pulls the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a load has a boom with a lower end and an upper end and a base having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the base is pivotably connected to the lower end of the boom along a pivot axis, wherein a lower surface of the base rests on a support surface while a load is being moved. A first restricting mechanism restricts relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second restricting mechanism restricts the relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a second direction. A pulley mechanism is disposed proximal to the upper end of the boom. A rope having a load end is provided, wherein the load is attachable to the load end of the rope. The rope is threaded through the pulley mechanism.

Abstract: A winch pulley accessory for directing the pull of a vehicle-mounted winch to move a motor vehicle in any desired direction. The pulley accessory comprises an elongated tubular member and a pulley block. The tubular member slides into a box hitch mounted on the front of a vehicle. The pulley block is attached to the end of the tubular member. The pulley block has a sheave rotatably mounted on a pin. The pulley accessory allows a front-mounted vehicle winch to pull the vehicle backwards by sliding the pulley accessory into the hitch with the pin oriented horizontally and extending the winch cable under the vehicle, or laterally by sliding the pulley accessory into the hitch with the pin oriented vertically. The pulley accessory is lightweight, easy to install, and easy to remove for transport.

Abstract: A back and body support for maintaining a person in an antigravity position, primarily forward bending, with minimal muscle activity, force, and fatigue and, therefore, compressive loading on the spine. It also allows for changing position without such muscle activity or compressive loading, and without requiring the use of the hands, and without obstructing the performance of desired functions. It accomplishes this with a motor, spool, support line, pulleys, vest, belaying track, and remote control switch. The motor can produce rotation of the spool in either direction, and sufficient braking. The vest fastens at the front for easy and posturally sound donning and doffing. The spine sling support is particularly useful for people who must maintain forward-bent postures for prolonged periods, and especially for people with a history of back pain and dysfunction. It allows continued function with decreased pain.

Abstract: As a carriage carrying a mooring line guide is lowered by paying out a hoisting line two retaining projections mounted on the carriage are inserted into complementary stationary sockets to anchor the carriage in a lower position, As the carriage reaches such lower position two reciprocable latch pins mounted on the carriage are projected by compression springs into stationary sockets to lock the retaining projections in their sockets, Retraction of such latch pins in opposition to the force of such compression springs to remove the latch pins from their sockets is effected by tensioning of the hoisting line, The carriage is guided for elevational movement by rollers engageable with upright tracks or by guide sleeves encircling an upright taut guide line.

Abstract: A boom point construction connects the for and aft mountings of a sheave swivel to the major structural elements of a boom. The boom point includes a framework of elongated members joined together to form a truss. The framework includes assemblies of at least three members joined together at one common point and extending in different directions from the point to define three different planes. Two of the assemblies extend from opposite sides of the front swivel support and another of the assemblies extends from the rear swivel support. A member of the assemblies from the front swivel support is connected to members of the assembly extending from the rear swivel support. The boom point is shown connecting the swivel to a boom having either three or four major longitudinal structural elements.

Abstract: The crown block has two parallel clusters of sheaves. In one use the crown block is positioned such that the center of the derrick passes through the axle of one of the clusters and a power cable is threaded through the first cluster of the crown block and the cluster of the traveling block. When one wants to double the mechanical advantage, the crown block unit is shifted so that the center line of the derrick passes midway between the axle of the first cluster and the second cluster of the crown block. For this second use a modified traveling block is used which also has two parallel clusters of sheaves which corresponds to the two parallel clusters of sheaves of the crown block. The power cable is then threaded between the first clusters of the crown block and the traveling block and then through the second sheave cluster of the crown block and the second sheave cluster of the traveling block. The load is connected to a cross member between the two axles of the clusters of the traveling block.

Abstract: A resilient support is provided for maintaining a pivotally mounted yacht fitting in an upright position. The support is in the form of a conical section made from a resilient polymeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for lowering and raising a suspended article comprises a base, at least one holding means connected to the base adapted to locate and hold the base onto a desired structure, a suspension rod rotatably connected to the base, and winding means connected to the base or the suspension rod. The suspension rod extends upwardly from the base and includes a hanging device at an upper end thereof. The winding means windingly receives a cord extending downwardly through the hanging device of the suspension rod for lowering and raising the article attached to an end of the cord.

Abstract: A wire pulling device has a pulley wheel rotatably mounted to a clamp in the first embodiment of the invention, with the clamp being affixed to a junction box having an open side in a horizontal plane for the passage of the wire to the pulley wheel. In a second embodiment of the invention, two clamps are provided that mount the pulley wheel to the junction box where the open side of the junction box is in a vertical plane. The clamps have rotatable sleeves mounting a tie rod supporting the pulley wheel so that the sleeves may be rotated through 90 degrees when desired to change from the mode of operation of the first embodiment to that of the second, as when it is required when remounting the junction box from a ceiling to a wall.

Abstract: Anchor winch equipment, for a motor boat, a yacht or a small-sized fishing boat, which ensures easy and simple paying out and hauling in of an anchor and whose power is supplied from a battery or a generator provided in said boat or yacht, is characterized in that when a drive motor built in a drum rotates in the winding direction, a changeover ratchet wheel having a drive pawl at one end transmits rotation to a drum and a feed cam shaft by means of a roller clutch fitted by a screw provided at the outer periphery of main shaft linked with motor shaft, causing the anchor rope to be wound in the same time when said drum begins to rotates, and a feed cam shaft simultaneously rotate to cause said anchor rope to be gradually wound along the surface of said drum, and that in the case of reverse of direction, said changeover ratchet wheel is immediately disengaged by means of said pawl and only said roller clutch moves together with said main shaft, both said drum and said feed cam shaft being disengages from said

Abstract: A novel snatch block particularly suitable for marine use and for movement on a boat deck mounted track, comprising a track slide portion and an upper sheave assembly. The sheave assembly comprises a pair of normally spaced-apart side cheeks; a sheave pin extending between said cheeks; and a sheave rotatably mounted on said sheave pin. Structure is provided for holding the sheave pin at one end to one of the side cheeks, and releasably engaging the sheave pin at the opposite end with the other of the side cheeks to hold the sheave assembly in a normally closed position. Both the side cheeks are pivotally mounted on the slide portion so that with release of one of the side cheeks by the sheave pin, the sheave assembly is capable of expanding to a wider opening than available with conventional snatch blocks.

Abstract: An adjustable cable draw mechanism including a pair of interlocking elongated channel members slidable relative to each other so as to vary their combined length, a plurality of rollers mounted in end-to-end relationship and lengthwise on each of the channel members, hooks on the outer ends of the channel members for mounting the channel members in underslung relationship to the sides of a cable tray, and adjustable mountings for the hooks to both vary their height and their position on the channel members.

Abstract: A trolley wire is paid out under tension from a drum on a traveling railroad car and is guided by a guide roller device on a following car to be hung by temporary hangers on a previously installed messenger wire, the guide roller device having a cradle rotatably supporting several transverse horizontal rollers and vertical rollers which respectively form a horizontal guide surface and two opposed vertical guide surfaces of large radii of curvature to prevent permanent bend sets in the trolley wire. The cradle is rockably supported on transverse pivot pins so that it can swing and optimally adapt to changes in the wire direction, and the mechanism thus supporting the cradle is also movable in the up-and-down directions and the in the transverse left-and-right directions.